NEW Tillies boss boasts European success
Football: Brand new Australia Matildas coach Joe Montemurro and Football Australia's interim CEO Heather Garriock spoke to the media after announcing a brand new era for the Matildas.
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News.com.au
37 minutes ago
- News.com.au
Socceroos v Japan, FIFA World Cup qualifier live coverage and how to watch on TV
Australia coach Tony Popovic has implored his side to 'finish the job' ahead of the Socceroos' crunch World Cup qualifier against rivals Japan on Thursday in Perth. A drought-breaking win over the Asian powerhouse would all but assure Australia an automatic berth in next year's World Cup in North America. The Socceroos have a three-point lead and a significant goal difference advantage over Saudi Arabia as they jockey for second place in Group C of Asian qualifying. But a loss or draw against already qualified Japan means Australia will be thrust into a critical clash against Saudi Arabia in Jeddah on June 10. A win does not totally guarantee Australia's passage if Saudi Arabia claim victory in their away game against Bahrain later on Thursday. 'We just need to finish the job off. We can take a major step tomorrow night by winning,' Popovic told reporters on Wednesday. 'There's a real excitement from the group, but there's a calmness and confidence in our ability.' Australia have not beaten Japan since 2009, but hopes are high against a considerably weakened side resting a slew of top players. Leeds United star Ao Tanaka, Reims forward Junya Ito and Hidemasa Morita from Sporting Lisbon are among the players missing for the Samurai Blue. In contrast, Australia will boast a near full-strength side and buoyed by the recent return of Parma defender Alessandro Circati from a torn anterior cruciate ligament. 'It's been a long time since Australia has beaten Japan, but I have a lot of confidence in this group,' said Popovic, who has turned Australia's fortunes around since replacing Graham Arnold in September. 'At some point, Australia will beat Japan. We have a chance to do that tomorrow and we want to take that opportunity.' A febrile atmosphere is tipped with 50,000 fans expected to attend Optus Stadium despite stormy weather in Perth ahead of the game. 'We certainly are aware of what these games mean to us and mean to Australia,' Popovic said. 'I'm very confident the players will go out there and execute in a very calm, composed manner.' With an eighth straight World Cup appearance assured, Japan are using their trip to Australia and subsequent home game against Indonesia as an opportunity to trial younger players and build depth. Japan's 27-man squad includes eight uncapped players, but Liverpool midfielder Wataru Endo and Real Sociedad's Takefusa Kubo provide plenty of class for the Asian nation eyeing a first World Cup triumph. 'The ultimate goal is to win the World Cup,' Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu said. 'So we really need to take each match and the time we prepare for matches seriously. 'We need to build the strongest team possible (for) the World Cup.'
ABC News
an hour ago
- ABC News
Australian bare-knuckle fighting event denied for Perth
Western Australia's Combat Sports Commission has declined an application for a bare-knuckle boxing event in Perth. In a statement, a spokesperson for the commission said the board was not satisfied the event met the required criteria. The WA government has faced intense scrutiny over the proposed event by medical experts and the opposition in recent weeks. Australian Medical Association WA President Michael Page expressed concern about the lack of protective gear. "We know that any sport that involves repetitive knocks to the head — and this is quite clearly that — puts people at risk of not only acute concussion and acute brain injury, but also chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), which is where people, years after they've been involved in these sports, progressively develop personality changes, memory difficulties and dementia," he said. Last week, the head of the commission Bob Kucera said while many people regard the sport with distaste, banning it would simply drive it underground. The decision comes as the two main fights on the July 19 card were announced by the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship across social media on Wednesday with Perth Arena also advertising ticket sales for the event.
ABC News
an hour ago
- ABC News
Live updates: Socceroos vs Japan, FIFA World Cup qualification match in Perth
The Socceroos face the daunting task of halting an unbeaten and already qualified Japan team in Perth, with Australia's automatic World Cup qualification still on the line. Follow all the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification action from Perth Stadium in our live blog.
